Pirates Outlast Sharks 5-3

Published on November 18, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester Sharks News Release


Worcester, MA- Ryan Vesce and Dan DaSilva gave Worcester an early 2-0 lead but the Sharks could not hold on and dropped their 6th straight game in a 5-3 loss to the Portland Pirates on Wednesday night at the DCU Center.

Mark Mancari scored the game winner and his second goal of the game at 14:30 of the third period on the power play off a great pass from Nathan Gerbe to give the Pirates their first lead of the game. The Sharks led 2-0 and 3-1, before the Pirates scored the final four goals of the game.

The first period was a strong one for the Sharks as Ryan Vesce put them ahead early when he came streaking across the blue line and fired a snapshot by Pirates goaltender J.P. Lamoureux. Dennis McCauley fired up the bench at 8:24 when he fought Hans Benson landing several strong punches. Later in the period, Dan DaSilva extended the Sharks lead to 2-0 when he finished on a 3-on-2 break down the ice. Final shots in the period were 11-8 in favor of the Sharks.

Early in the second period, Portland cut into the lead when Alex Stalock lost the puck behind his own net which led to Tyler Ennis's seventh goal of the season at 45 seconds. Lee than a minute later at 1:41, Benn Ferriero extended the lead to 3-1 scoring his first goal in a Worcester Sharks uniform after Logan Couture maneuvered around the Pirates netminder. The assist for Couture, extended his point streak to seven games (5-8-13). The Pirates trimmed the lead to 3-2 when Mark Mancari fired a slap shot from the right circle off the far post past goaltender Alex Stalock at 6:44. The Sharks lead the period in shots 18-7 and took a 3-2 lead into the 2nd intermission.

The Pirates dominated the third period as Derek Whitmore brought tied the score at 3-3 at 9:44 firing a centering feed by Kyle Wanvig past Stalock. The Pirates took their first lead of the game when Mark Mancari blasted home a one-timer from the slot at 14:30 after a terrific feed by Gerbe on a 4-on-3 power play. Jeff Cowan capped off the scoring, when he found the empty net with less than five seconds left in the game. Portland outshot Worcester 15-3 in the third period and took home a 5-3 victory

With the loss, the Sharks fall to 8-9-0-1 (17 points) on the season and 5-6-0-0 at the DCU Center.

Notes: Three stars: (3) Derek Whitmore (1-1-2),(2) Ryan Vesce (1 goal), (1) Mark Mancari (2 goals)......Benn Ferriero, Jamie McGinn, and Logan Coutue arrived at the DCU Center just before game time after being loaned from San Jose...Tonight's game marked Steven Zalewski's 100th regular-season game in a Worcester uniform, he is the 16th Shark to reach that milestone.........The Sharks scored the first goal tonight for the first time in the past seven games........Ryan Vesce's goal in the first period was the first time the Sharks led in the past 370 minutes..Alex Stalock made 24 saves in net for Worcester......Jean-Phillippe Lamourex made 29 saves in net for Portland.......Worcester went 0/4 on the power play.......Portland went 2/5 on the power play.

On Friday, the Sharks travel to Portland for a 7p.m. tilt vs. the Pirates and then travel to the Dunkin Donuts Center to battle the Bruins in Providence on Saturday night.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Norfolk Admirals at 3:05p.m. Join us after the game for the 4th annual Hat & Mittens Holiday Skate presented by BayState Savings Bank! Fans are encouraged to bring new winter hats, mittens, and scarves and then skate with the Sharks during a postgame skate! (skate rentals are not available) Its $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino's! Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket! With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE X-Large cheese pizza coupon to be used a participating Papa Gino's locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.

Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

* Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center

* Significant savings off box office ticket prices

* Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central